When asked about herself, Laura Donovan says “two things run in
my blood–hiking and teaching.” Several years ago, after moving up
to New York, Laura found herself teaching music in the schools
during the week and traversing the hiking trails of the Adirondacks
during her weekends.

For years, she had done lots and lots of hiking, in Georgia,
South Carolina, and Vermont, much of it solo. While she had heard
of Trail Dames while living down South, it wasn’t until she moved
back home that she decided to merge her two passions and start a
Trail Dames chapter of her own.

In addition to being an advocate for Body Positivity, and LGBTQ
issues, she wanted to help other women find the same joy in the
outdoors that she does. These days, more often than not, you will
find her weekends spent surrounded by other women, laughing and
learning together.

She is not only bringing her talent for leadership and love for
adventure to the table but an ability to inspire, motivate and
create a safe place for women to find their own love for the
outdoors. All of us, her students, her friends, and her Dames, are
lucky to know her!

About the Podcast

In the Trail Dames Podcast we speak with "women who like to dance upon this earth." We are a supportive group of women hikers. Some will make you laugh, some may make you cry, but all will inspire you to join us and dance upon this earth.